Question:
2 MONTHS OUT and need to know....

I am 2 months out and need to know guidelines regarding how much I should be eating at each meal. More precisely how many ounces, how many carbs per day and so on .... I am concerned that I only lost approx. 30 punds in 2 months, I don't feel full, I'm still hungry and I am able to eat more than 2 oz at a meal, although I do my best to avoid it. I'm concerned, please respond. Thank you.    — Luci B. (posted on August 29, 2003)

August 29, 2003
Dont feel alone, I to at times can eat more than 2 0z. and still feel hungry. I am 2 months out tomorrow and I can eat almost anything, just in smaller amounts. I have lost about 38lbs. just hope I can control the fact that I can eat anything. Just try really hard to get in all the water. Wish the best to you.
   — laurie D.

August 29, 2003
At two months out, assuming that you haven't had any complications, I trust that you are gradually introducing different solids into your diet. When I was at the stage, I was limiting my daily carbs to about 40 grams a day (although this was usually an average spread out over a 3-4 day period) and trying to get in at least 60 grams of protein a day. As for eating, I could muster a tablespoon of food every 7-10 minutes and I limited my meals to no more than 30 minutes each; also, I wouldn't drink anything for 30 minutes before and after each meal. At this time, I was never hungry; but, you need to appreciate that my pouch was only 1 oz. so the little food I was consuming really did fill me. If you are concerned about not feeling full then ask your surgeon how big your pouch is and check with your nutritionist if there are safe ways for you to increase the amount of protein you are taking in. Good luck.
   — SteveColarossi

August 29, 2003
Your surgeon or dietitian really sure advise you on this. Every program is different. At 2 months out, my program allowed 1/4 to 1/2 cup of food per meal (depending on how dense the food is), and about two tablespoons of something for a snack. My dietitian did not want me to count carbs or calories then. She said it would be all I could do to get protein in, and the rest would take care of itself (and she was right). But I stress that your doc may have a different plan, and you should contact him/her about what you should be eating.
   — Vespa R.

August 29, 2003
If you are hungry eat more and eat more often. How long are you taking to eat a meal? If you stretch it out, you will never feel full. And the consistency counts-softer, more liquidy foods, like cottage cheese or eggs, you may be able to eat more than 2 oz as opposed to chicken which is more solid and you would eat less. And how many meals a day? You should be eating every few hours...As for carbs, I never counted-just concentrate on protein first at every meal and if room left include some good carbs like whole grain breads, beans, veggies and fruits. Believe it or not, you have to eat and eat regularly and often to lose weight
   — Cindy R.